Fernando Mendoza reveals wild NFL Draft interview request to get arrested

Wacky questions are quite common during the evaluation process leading up to the NFL Draft. Sometimes head coaches and front office members ask players random questions during interviews just to see how they react when things go wrong.

In the case of Fernando Mendoza, the most bizarre moment he has encountered so far during the selection interviews was not a question at all. Instead, he was asked to be handcuffed. Literally.

“I don’t know if I can say that,” Mendoza said with a smirk when CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala asked him about the weirdest questions he’s received. “It was, ‘Hey, maybe you should get arrested.'”

Mendoza clarified that the team suggesting he be stopped did so in the hopes that it would impact his draft stock enough that he would no longer be the No. 1 overall pick, which he is widely expected to be. He was also quick to note that the club was not among the teams he had a formal interview with.

“I hope I don’t get arrested,” he laughs.

Of course, this was a tongue-in-cheek remark from a team that wanted to be able to select Mendoza. This is especially true with this year’s draft lacking high-end quarterback talent, while the free agent and trade markets also lack clear fundamental options.

The Indiana signal-caller is the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, meaning he’s currently projected to land in Las Vegas with the Raiders. During his press conference on Friday, he gave a glowing review of his official meeting with the organization.

“It was a fantastic interview,” Mendoza said via NFL.com. “The coaching staff was there. We went over some of my previous plays and played on the board. I thought it was a great meeting. I know they have the No. 1 pick, but anything can happen in the draft. I’m excited for this opportunity and whichever team selects me, I’m going to give them everything I have.”

He also added that he’d be happy wherever he ends up, “whether it’s the No. 1 pick or, you know, the 199th pick.” It was a not-so-subtle nod to his likely future boss, Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, who was the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL draft by the New England Patriots.

Fernando Mendoza explains what he most wants to learn from Tom Brady if he is drafted No. 1 by the Raiders

Robby Kalland

Mendoza is coming off a historic 2025 season for the Hoosiers, leading the program to a 16-0 record, a Heisman Trophy and a victory over Miami in the CFP national championship. He completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions while adding 276 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.